A man who attempted to use Australian music legend John Farnham as an alibi for murder has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison. John Sheffield, 56, appeared before the Victorian Supreme Court on Thursday, where he received a 22-year prison term with a non-parole period of 16 years for the brutal killing of 63-year-old Kenneth Magee at their shared Werribee home on December 2, 2024.
The Crime and Initial Claims
The former diesel mechanic initially claimed he had not heard his housemate being bludgeoned to death because he was listening to John Farnham's iconic song 'You're the Voice' at high volume in his bedroom. The court heard that Mr Magee suffered catastrophic head injuries consistent with being struck repeatedly with a hammer while seated on a couch. Sheffield, who bore no injuries, first told police that an intruder had broken in and attacked his friend. However, he later admitted to pulling the hammer from Mr Magee's head.
Justice Rita Incerti described the assault as brutal, stating: 'It was a brutal assault upon Mr Magee in his own home during which you intended to cause him really serious injury. You used a weapon capable of significant harm and set upon his head, a particularly vulnerable part of the body.' Mr Magee had been acting as Sheffield's unofficial carer.
False Alibi and Guilty Plea
When detectives questioned Sheffield about his activities at the time of the murder, he claimed he had been blasting John Farnham songs in his room. He maintained this falsehood until March, when he agreed to plead guilty to murder after receiving a sentence indication from Justice Incerti. A forensic examination revealed multiple skull fractures and brain injuries consistent with at least five impacts.
Sheffield himself had called triple-0 after the attack, falsely reporting: 'Someone just broke in, he hit me mate on the head with a hammer, I don't know who it was, they've left the front door open. I just walked out there to get a drink and I seen him on the couch with his head smashed open. I don't know how long ago, I'd been in me room listening to music.' Police found no signs of forced entry.
Impact on Family
Justice Incerti noted that Mr Magee's horrific death had deeply shocked his family. Mr Magee's daughter, Christine Magee, told the court her life 'imploded' after receiving a phone call saying her father would not survive, followed moments later by confirmation of his death. She described years of panic attacks, depression, extreme weight loss, an eating disorder, and being forced to leave her career as a chef. 'His life was stolen by someone he once called a friend, in the safety of his own home,' she said.
Mr Magee's sister, Alison Menzies, learned of her brother's death by seeing his photograph on the evening news. She described severe grief, recurring nightmares, anxiety, financial strain, and the compounded trauma of losing three siblings in four years. 'Ken was given a death sentence. I have been given a life sentence,' she said.
Sentencing Considerations
The judge accepted that Sheffield had significant mental health issues, including schizophrenia, along with multiple physical conditions, and that the relationship with Mr Magee had been volatile at times. Sheffield's barrister, John Desmond, attempted to shift blame onto Mr Magee, describing him as a violent thug. However, Justice Incerti found insufficient evidence of provocation on the night of the murder and only limited reduction in Sheffield's moral culpability. She noted that imprisonment would be more burdensome due to his health but emphasised the seriousness of the offending. Sheffield has already served 521 days in custody.
